Estrada at the opening session of the council urged the councilors to unite and support his program of government and specific projects that will benefit of Manila residents.

“Unity between the City Council and the Office of the Mayor is important to fast-track many infrastructure projects, along with those in health, education, sanitation and cleanliness, nutrition, budget reforms, revenue and permits collection, parks and sports facilities, and others,” Estrada said.

Now that the vice mayor is a female, the city is expected to strengthen ordinances on gender and development that will protect the rights of women and children.

More than two months after the May 9 polls, Estrada has yet to meet former vice mayor Isko Moreno who lost his Senate bid.

There were reports that Moreno had shifted support to former mayor Alfredo Lim, who lost by a 2,000-vote margin to Estrada.

When Estrada first ran for mayor in 2013, he promised Moreno that he would only serve for one term if he won. But this did not happen.